Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

This soup was extremely delicious and filling!  The other day I went grocery shopping without a meal plan and came home with a big slab of ham.  I really had no plans for it at all and after raiding the pantry this came to life.  I will definitely double this recipe next time and freeze the extras for another night.  I also came across a recipe on Pinterest for "Cream of Something Soup" and I had most of the ingredients on hand and came up with my "Cream of Nothing Soup." 

Ingredients for Cream of Nothing Soup

• 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup dry milk
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dry basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dry parsley

Directions:

1. Bring 3/4 cup of Cream of Nothing mixture and 1 1/4 cup chicken broth to a light boil.
2. Stir over heat until it thickens.

Ingredients for Soup:

• 2 small russet potatoes, diced in small cubes
• 1 1/2 cups diced ham
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Saute onions, garlic and potatoes with olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
2. In a separate pan saute ham with a little bit of oil until nicely browned.
3. Add ham to potato mixture and stir.
4. Add cream of nothing soup, water and all other ingredients, except cheese and bring to a light boil.
5. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in cheese and serve!

*If you do not want to make "cream of nothing soup" just replace with one can of your favorite cream condensed soup.*

Hummus, Avocado and Tomato Toast

I have seen so many  pictures lately of people eating avocado toast and it looks so yummy!  I decided to give it a whirl and I loved it.  However, I wanted to bulk it up a bit so it would be more of a lunch.  I am absolutely in love with this recipe and it is so filling and delicious.

 

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat toast
• 1 tablespoon hummus, regular or flavor of your choice.
• 1/2 avocado, smashed
• Tomato slices
• Splash of balsamic vinegar, regular or white
• salt and pepper, to taste

 

Directions:

1. Toast your bread.
2. Apply Hummus and top with avocado and tomato.
3. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper.

 



Crockpot Chicken Chili

I rarely go shopping without a meal plan however, this week I did.  I randomly went shopping on a Sunday and was no way prepared for it. Shopping is always reserved for Monday mornings, no LINES!  Without a list I really just picked up some of my basic items.  I came home with chicken and really had no idea what to make with it.  I then realized I had bought a can of Cannellini beans for my lunch salads and decided to make a chicken chili.  This was so good and you don't have to cook anything before hand.  Definitely a keeper and I will double the batch next time for a freezer meal.  I also think corn and a can of green chilies would be AMAZING!

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, uncooked
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 cup sour cream, you can always substitute for plain Greek yogurt!
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoon chili powder, more to taste
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Cholula, to taste
• Avocado, sour cream and green onions for garnish

Directions:

1. Place chicken in a lightly oiled crockpot.
2. Cover chicken with all remaining ingredients, except the sour cream and garnish toppings.
3. Cook chicken on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
4. Remove chicken and shred.
5. Add shredded chicken back to crock with sour cream and stir.
6. Cook on low for an additional 1/2 hour and serve!

To Freeze:
 Leftovers: Freeze cooled leftovers in a ziploc bag.  Thaw when ready to serve and heat in pan. 
Freezer Meal:  Add all ingredients except sour cream and garnish toppings in a large freezer ziploc bag.  When ready to make thaw and empty bag into crockpot and cook with directions above.

French Onion Beef Stroganoff

I was originally planning on making a recipe from The Pioneer Woman's blog however, I forgot a few essentials at the store......  I guess having a list doesn't always work the way you want.  As I started pulling out all the ingredients I would need I found myself in a bit of a pickle.  Pantry raiding had commenced and I found myself whipping up this delicious meal instead.

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bag egg noodles
• 1/2 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can condensed french onion soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• paprika, for garnish

 

Directions:

1. Boil noodles according to package directions and set aside.
2. In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Stir in onions and garlic until they start to sweat and add ground beef.
4. Saute beef until cooked throughout and stir in soup and sour cream.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5-10 minutes. 
7. Add in noodles until completely coated and serve.

Whole Wheat Banana Honey Muffins

Confession:  I really didn't think I was going to like these at all.  I am not a big fan of whole wheat flour but these are AMAZING.  My little guy has already scarfed down a couple today and best of all I don't feel  guilty one bit. 

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large bowl mix flour, soda, and salt until well combined and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl blend eggs, oil, honey bananas and cinnamon until well combined.
4. Slowly add in dry ingredients until well combined adding in water slowly.
5. Pour batter into greased muffins tins about 3/4 full.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Mine were perfect at 15 minutes.

Mama's Goulash

This is my absolute favorite dish my Mom makes.  This dish is so incredibly easy and cheap!  When I was pregnant with my son, my Mom made this for me all the time and it goes perfectly with corn bread covered in butter and maple syrup! 

Ingredients:

• 1 box small macaroni noodles
• 2 cans Italian style diced tomatoes
• 1 small can tomato paste
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Directions:

• Boil noodles according to package instructions.
• Saute ground beef until cooked through and add all remaining ingredients.
• Bring sauce to a simmer and pour over noodles.
• Toss and serve.

Black Bean and Egg Sweet Potato Hash Cups

This is a great "on the go" breakfast muffin, packed with protein and vitamins!  I really liked these however, I can not get my little guy to take a bite.  He literally eats EVERYTHING and he loves all three of these ingredients separately.  I will definitely be making these at the beginning of the week for snacks.

Ingredients:

• 1 small sweet potato, peeled and grated
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and mix all ingredients thoroughly in a medium bowl.  Add mixture about 3/4 of the way full into a lightly greased muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.